018: Theo Clinkard on Dance and Identity through play and performance

“‘It's not about perfection for me, it's about play. And I'm excited for maybe a bit of a new era that's maybe looking at performance from a design-led perspective.”

Theo Clinkard

In this episode of The Shapes in Motion Podcast, Stephen Moynihan speaks with acclaimed choreographer and performer Theo Clinkard about his journey from Cornwall to an international career in dance. Theo reflects on how boarding school shaped his identity, how grief became a catalyst for creating his own work, and the role of authenticity, play, and queerness in his artistic practice. They explore the challenges facing emerging artists, the importance of mentorship, and the value of local, sustainable creativity outside major cities. Theo also shares insights into his design-led approach to performance and his commitment to creating inclusive, expressive spaces for artists. With a career spanning dance, film, opera, and theatre, Theo has worked with renowned UK choreographers including Matthew Bourne, Wayne McGregor, Siobhan Davies, and Lea Anderson, and more recently brought his expertise to screen as Movement Director on Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (starring Emma Thompson) and Jimpa (starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow).

About Theo Clinkard
Theo Clinkard is based in Ashburton, Devon and works internationally as a choreographer, theatre designer, performer, mentor and teacher. 

Following 20 years working as a dancer for some of the UK’s leading choreographers including Matthew Bourne, Wayne McGregor, Siobhan Davies and Lea Anderson, he launched his own company in 2012 and has steadily built an international reputation for creating affecting and visually arresting contemporary work for small, middle and large-scale theatres as well as non-theatre settings. Company productions include Ordinary Courage, Chalk, Of Land & Tongue, This Bright Field and The Elsewhen Series; a co-creation with Leah Marojević. International choreographic commissions include creations for Tanztheatre Wuppertal Pina Bausch, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba & Candoco Dance Company among others.

Recent work also includes  acting as a mentor, dramaturg and workshop leader for BBC Young Dancer, choreographing AIDA at København Opera House directed by Annabel Arden, movement directing the film Good Luck to you Leo Grande starring Emma Thompson and Jimpa starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow.

Theo is an Associate Artist at Brighton Dome & Festival and an Honorary Fellow at Plymouth University. 

Links

Website www.theoclinkard.com

Instagram www.instagram.com/theoclinkard

Facebook www.facebook.com/theoclinkarddance 

Conversations with movement creatives https://www.under-story.com/

Chapters

Introduction and Background

Early Dance Experiences and Transition to Professionalism

The Impact of Boarding School on Identity

Creative Expression and Choreography

Grief and the Catalyst for Creating Work

The Role of Design in Performance

Playfulness in Artistic Process

Navigating Different Mediums and Contexts

The Importance of Authenticity in Performance

Exploring Self-Expression in Dance

The Intersection of Queerness and Art

Mentorship and Emerging Artists

Living and Creating Outside of London

To get in touch with Sarah visit www.sarahperrymovement.com and follow @sarahperrymovement on Instagram.
To get in touch with Stephen visit www.stephenmoynihan.net and follow @stmoynihan on Instagram.